art deco Archives - Etan Does LA

#260: Oviatt Building (Downtown)

June 24, 2025

The Oviatt Building was commissioned by James Oviatt, haberdasher to the stars. It once housed LA's finest luxury department store – and in his 12th floor penthouse, Oviatt had LA's first art deco residence.

#214-219: Whole Bunch o’ Bungalow Courts, pt. 3 (Pasadena)

June 22, 2024

Architecture

The bungalow court flourished between 1910-1930, especially in Pasadena. For this third batch in our exploration of all 30 Pasadena courts on the National Register, we’re looking at six courts clustered around the historic section of South Marengo Avenue.

#190: Warner Grand Theatre (San Pedro)

February 17, 2024

Architecture

The Warner Grand Theatre is a 1931 art deco neighborhood movie palace in San Pedro, designed by prolific theater designer B. Marcus Priteca. Formerly part of the Warner Bros. chain of theaters, it's now owned by the City of Los Angeles.

#170: San Pedro Municipal Ferry Building (San Pedro)

August 31, 2023

Architecture

From 1942-1963, this quirky streamline moderne building was the departure point for workers and sailors heading to Terminal Island's shipyards, canneries and Naval bases. It now houses the largest maritime museum on the west coast.

#106: Sears, Roebuck & Company Mail Order Building (Boyle Heights)

July 6, 2022

Commerce

The massive art deco Sears building in Boyle Heights was once the mail order center for the entire southwestern region of the US, and a fixture for generations of eastside Angelenos. Now abandoned, the building awaits an uncertain fate.